(NOAH) Kenoh's straight "Isn't it better to have Sakoku?" - pointing out issues seen in the 9th June ALL TOGETHER

12th June 2023

Tokyo Sports

Note: "Sakoku" (literally "Closed Country") was the name given to the national policy of Japan from 1603–1867, which closed the country off from the rest of the world. 

Kenoh (38), who leads Noah's "Kongoh", has taken a swipe at the current state of Puroresu. After taking part as the main lead with both New Japan and All Japan at the joint event, "ALL TOGETHER" which was held at Ryogoku on the 9th, there is a problem that has come to light again. 

What should the interaction of the three promotions be in the future? 

We directly interviewed Kenoh, who made a surprise appearance at All Japan's Koriyama event on the 11th, as the second of his partner, Manabu Soya, who he holds the World Heavyweight Tags with. 

Q: After finishing ALL TOGETHER? 

KENOH: I think it's good that All Japan was cheerful and having fun, but it's not good to have too much fun. Noah focuses on showing the fight, and it is good that there's a sense of tension, but it was a bit too tense and looked nervous, so it wasn't good. Well, New Japan is top right now because they have taken the best of it. Even so, seeing Suwama in the opening was pitiful.

Q: Was it the part where the three who formed the three champions in the first ALL TOGETHER appeared? 

KENOH: One person alone came out as soon as possible and became like a comedian, why was Suwama alongside two clearly refreshingly handsome men? (New Japan's Hiroshi Tanahashi & Noah's Go Shiozaki). Like twelve years ago, he might have been young and fresh, but now he's an old man. It was cute all around, but overall, it was a really good show that made me realize the potential pro wrestling has, but...

Q: What issues did you see? 

KENOH: If you only do joint events, the freshness will be lost and promotions will perish. In fact, All Japan had a mini ALL TOGETHER until just before the event, so compared to the previous event, the excitement from the event before was lacking. So wouldn't it be better for puroresu to isolate itself for once? That would make the professional wrestling world better 10 or 20 years from now. You only get one promotion just by participating?

Q: Noah's Kaito Kiyomiya will participate in New Japan's G1 Climax (opening on July 15th in Sapporo)

KENOH: If Kiyomiya can achieve good results, then it will be good for Noah, but there is nothing positive for Noah other than the championship.

Q: In other words, only New Japan can gain by participation alone?

KENOH: I felt like New Japan took the initiative in ALL TOGETHER as well. It's not good to have just one strong. I have to make sure that my own promotion can show that kind of excitement with a competitive attitude. In a few years, we will have to do a bigger ALL TOGETHER, so let's do Sakoku once. 

Q: At the All Japan event on the 15th, your third defense of the World Tag against Kento Miyahara and Yuma Aoyagi has been decided...

KENOH: That's right, but there's no merit in getting in involved in All Japan anymore. That's why I'm going to defend next and transfer the jurisdiction of the belt from PWF to Noah. That is why this is the last time I will defend in All Japan, I want to have a title match in Noah with Noah wrestlers. 

Q: You made the condition of having a "sell out crowd" to having a title match in All Japan?

KENOH: Being almost empty is pretty desolate when Miyahara, the face of All Japan, and Kenoh, the face of Noah, fight. On the 7th May, at the mini ALL TOGETHER in Ota, even though Tetsuya Naito from New Japan and Kenoh also performed, but there were plenty of empty seats. I've got used to Noah being sold out, because of the last Shinjuku event (May 31st) and the Yokohama event (10th), so All Japan Pro Wrestling, use me as a model to be sold out!

Translated from Tokyo Sports

Picture credit: Tokyo Sports